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starttheapp
Launch Blueprint
europe

Incorporate a Startup in United KingdomEngland & Wales (Ltd)

Fastest incorporation in Europe. Founder-friendly EMI options and SEIS/EIS tax reliefs.

Key incorporation facts for United Kingdom

Time to incorporate
24 hours - 1 week
Estimated setup cost
£50 - £500
Corporate tax rate
19% - 25%
Ease of remote setup
Yes
Annual compliance: Confirmation Statement + CT600 + Companies House accounts \u00b7 Currency: GBP \u00b7 11 required materials / 19 total

12-step launch checklist

From pre-launch name reservation through first annual filing.

  1. 01
    Check company name availability on Companies House
    Pre-Launch
  2. 02
    Choose SIC code(s) and registered office address
    Pre-Launch
  3. 03
    Submit IN01 incorporation form via Companies House
    Incorporation
  4. 04
    Adopt model articles of association (or custom)
    Incorporation
  5. 05
    Issue founder shares and sign shareholders agreement
    Incorporation
  6. 06
    Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC (within 3 months)
    Tax
  7. 07
    Apply for SEIS/EIS Advance Assurance before fundraising
    Tax
  8. 08
    Open UK business bank account (Tide / Starling / HSBC)
    Banking
  9. 09
    Register with the ICO and pay data protection fee
    Compliance
  10. 10
    Set up PAYE if hiring employees
    Operations
  11. 11
    File Confirmation Statement annually
    Compliance
  12. 12
    Take out Employers Liability Insurance
    Compliance

Legal & Incorporation

Companies House filing, model articles, and SeedLegals-standard founder documents.

Companies House IN01 Form

PDF

Application to register a private limited company - or file online in under 24 hours.

formREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Model Articles of Association

PORTAL

Default articles for a private company limited by shares - accepted unless you adopt custom.

statuteREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Shareholders Agreement Template

DOCX

SeedLegals-style shareholders agreement covering vesting, drag-along, and pre-emption.

templateREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

IP Assignment Agreement (UK)

DOCX

Founder IP and prior work assignment under English law - required for any UK fundraise.

templateREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Advance Subscription Agreement (ASA)

DOCX

UK equivalent of a SAFE - eligible for SEIS/EIS investor relief.

templateOpen resource \u2192

Tax & Banking

HMRC registrations, SEIS/EIS pre-clearance, and digital business banking.

HMRC Corporation Tax Registration

PORTAL

Must register within 3 months of starting to trade.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

VAT Registration Guide

PORTAL

Mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a 12-month rolling period.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

PAYE for Employers Setup

PORTAL

Register as an employer with HMRC before first payday.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

SEIS/EIS Advance Assurance

PORTAL

Get HMRC pre-approval before raising - massive 50%/30% investor tax relief.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Tide Business Banking Checklist

LINK

Documents required to open a UK business account online in hours.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Regulatory & Licenses

UK GDPR, ICO fee, and employer insurance requirements.

UK GDPR Compliance Checklist

PORTAL

ICO checklist for data controllers handling EU/UK personal data.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

ICO Data Protection Fee Registration

PORTAL

Most companies must pay a £40-£60 annual data protection fee to the ICO.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Employers Liability Insurance Guide

PDF

Legally required (min £5m cover) the moment you have any UK employees.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

PSC Register Guidance

PORTAL

People with Significant Control disclosure - update Companies House within 14 days of any change.

guideREQUIREDOpen resource \u2192

Local Infrastructure

Legal automation, digital banks, and London-centric accelerators.

SeedLegals

PORTAL

UK-focused legal automation for funding rounds, EMI option schemes, and cap tables.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Tide / Starling Business Banking

PORTAL

Digital-first business accounts approved within hours.

guideOpen resource \u2192

GoCardless Payments

PORTAL

UK-built recurring direct debit and Open Banking payments.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Entrepreneur First

PORTAL

Talent-first London accelerator for technical founders pre-team.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Huckletree / Second Home

PORTAL

Premium London coworking for startups and creatives.

guideOpen resource \u2192

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to incorporate in United Kingdom?
Setup typically costs £50 - £500, with a 19% - 25% corporate tax rate.
How long does it take to incorporate in United Kingdom?
Incorporation usually completes in 24 hours - 1 week.
Can I incorporate remotely in United Kingdom?
Yes, United Kingdom supports fully-remote incorporation.
What annual compliance applies to a England & Wales (Ltd)?
Confirmation Statement + CT600 + Companies House accounts

Ready to incorporate?

Open the interactive launch blueprint for United Kingdom: track your progress, compare with other jurisdictions, ask the AI Launch Copilot, and download a personalised PDF plan.

Open Interactive Blueprint